Electric switch



Jan. 6, 1931.

F. F. KONRAD ET AL 1,788,349

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed June 9, 192g ATTORNEY l i Patented Jan, 6, 1931 UNITED `STATES,

PATENT; OFFICE FRANK FV. KONRAD AND ELLIS W; snoer, or SUNNYVALE., CALIFORNIA IiIaiemRIc: swI'rcH f Application led .Tune V9,

This invention relates to a switch for controlling an electric circuit, thevgeneral ob ject of the inventionr being to provide va spring motor for actuating an arm to open the switch after a latch member is moved to release the arm so that the switch will be opened some time after the latch has been moved to releasing position, thus enabling a person to operate the switch and pass from he room or other place where the switch is arranged before the circuit is broken so that when the device is used in a lighting system, a perso-n can leave the room or the building before the lights go out.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and 'ii V1l t d oit in th a ended speci cai y poin e i e pp claims. In describing our invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings whereinlike characters denote like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which Figure 1 is a face view of the switch operating device.

Figure 2 isa similar View, but showing the parts in a position with the switch open.

Figure 3 is a sectional View through the frame, showing the parts supported thereby. Figure 4 is a View of the hand operated member for moving the latch to releasing position. v

Figure 5 is a sectional View showing how this member is supported in the frame.

Figure 6 is an elevation, partly in section,

' 4o showing the breaker member.

In these Views, the numeral 1 indicates a frame which is composed of two plates spaced apart by the vposts 2l A shaft 3 is journaled in the frame and passes through the space between the two parts thereof and a coil spring 4 has one end fastened to the shaft and its other end to one of the posts. The shaft is formed with an extended portion 3 which carries a handle 5 and an arm 6 59 is attached to the shaft adjacent the frame was.l ,serial No. 284,195. ,Y L f :and has a block 7 of insulating'material on its free end.

A 'gear 8 is rotatably mounted on `the shaft 3 in the space between the frame and is provided with suitable ratchet means which will connectit with the lshaft when the shaft is rotated by the springbut which will free Athe gear from the shaft when the shaft is turned in an opposite directionto wind up the spring. This gear is connected by a train of y`'60 gearing,fshown generally at 9, with a small brake drum 10 whichis engaged by a spring finger 11 adjustable vby a screw 12 carried by yone of the pests so that the tensionr of the springccanbe adjusted to control the'speed of rotation of the parts by the spring. The `gearing is'arranged kbetween the two members of the frame.

A latch member 13 is pivoted to the front part of the frame and has a notch 14 therein for receiving the block 7 so as to hold the shaft 3 against movement, a spring 15 acting to hold the latch member in latchingposition. A, shaft 16 has one end rotatably connected with the front plate of the frame and has a handle 17 at its outer end so that the shaft can beturned. This shaft carries an arm 18, the bent outerend of'which engages a notch 19 in the latchmember so'that by rocking the shaft by means of its handle, the arm will move the latch member to releasing position and thus permit the spring to turn the shaft 3 to cause the arm 6 to engage the spring switch member 2O fastened to a terminal`21 on the frame and thus move said member 20 out of contact with thev spring finger 22 which is fastened to the terminal 23 on the frame.

The arm 20 is provided with a projection 24 which is engaged by the block 7 on the arm 6 so that further movement of the arm 6 is prevented. The terminals 21 and 23 are connected by conductors with the sourcecof supply and to appliances or lamps which are to be controlled by the switch.

As will Abe seen, the springis wound by turning the shaft 3 by means of its handle in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the latch member will hold the parts with the spring Wound and the switch breaker arm in inoperative position by the block 7 resting in the notch 14. Then when the circuit is to be broken, the shaft 16 is turned by means of its handle 17 which Will cause the arm 18 to move the latch member` 13 to releasing position. This permits the spring to start the rotation of the shaft 3 and its arm 6 and When the parts reach a position Where the block 7 will strike the member 20, the switch will be opened and the circuit broken. `The time it takes the arm to travel from one position to the other can be regulated by adjusting the tension of the spring 11 on the drum 10. Thus We have provided simple means for breaking a circuit some time after the parts are moved to release the circuit breaker.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages .and novel features of our invention Will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that We may make changes in the construction and in the com bination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall Wit-hin the scope of the appended claim.

What We claim is z- A. device of the class described comprising a switch, a pivoted arm, a spring connected with the pivot of the arm and tending to move the arm to a position to open the switch, a spring actuated latch for engaging the arm to hold itin inoperative position, a rotary handle member having a projection thereon for engaging the latch, vWhen the member is turned to a certain position, to move the latch to releasing position, an adjustable brake member and a train of gearing connecting the pivot of the arm to said brake member, whereby the speed of rotation of the pivot by the spring can be regulated.

In testimony whereof We aliX our signature.

FRANK F. KONRAD. ELLIS 1V. SHORT. 

